FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports Olivia Grange has described the five-day Inter-American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA) fifth Pathfinder Camporee, held last week at the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium, as a major boost for Jamaica’s prospect in faith-based tourism.

People from the 24 SDA unions drawn from over 52 countries converged at the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium for the first-ever staging of the Pathfinder Camporee in an English-speaking country.

“Most definitely this is a big, big boost for faith-based tourism because there is a huge market out there for Christians and faith-based groups that Jamaica as a destination can reach out to have their events, their conventions and their activities here in Jamaica,” Grange told the Jamaica Observer, following the official opening ceremony of the well-attended event.

She added: “In Trelawny, this stadium is a fantastic facility, although it was not completely built out when it was originally established. We are putting together a package to offer public-private partnership to developing and expanding the facility. So Jamaica is a great location and with our hospitality, we have the rooms that we can host large numbers and so this is big boost for us and we are happy that they chose Jamaica to host it.”

Grange, who represented Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the opening ceremony, underscored that “for Jamaica, this is another chapter in the pages of our history”.

“Through one event our nation has received greater exposure to the world,” Grange noted.

“I know that many of you have travelled a long distance to be with us. We’re glad that you made the choice to come to Jamaica. And we have all been working hard to ensure that you will leave this place filled with happy memories of your time in a wonderful country,” she further noted.

“This is Holy Week, so let me take the opportunity to greet you all in the name of our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Elie Henry, president of the Inter-American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, expressed deepest gratitude to the Jamaica Union of SDA and the Government of Jamaica for hosting the camporee.

“I am pleased that you came here in Jamaica and we want to say thank you to the Jamaican Union for hosting us here in this Pathfinder Camporee. And also, I want to take the opportunity, on behalf of the administration of the entire American division to say thank you. The Government of Jamaica was very instrumental to make this Pathfinder a success,” Pastor Henry said.

“I am talking about success already because as I see you, I know that all day we’ll spend here will be extraordinary. It will be a good opportunity to listen to each other, to listen to the word of God,” the clergyman added.

Pastor Everett Brown, president of the SDA Church in Jamaica, welcomed the Inter-American Division.

“The stage is set. The action is unfolding. This is the moment that we have been looking forward to. This is the moment that we have worked for. The Jamaica Union Conference is pleased to welcome you to this place that we call the Rock, the black, green and gold,” Pastor Brown said.

“With outstretched arms, we welcome you. We welcome you, not only to the beautiful topography of our island, but we welcome you to the warmth of the Jamaican people. We are a vibrant and diverse nation. Indeed Jamaica to the world! To my colleagues in leadership at the Inter American Division, we want to thank you for choosing Jamaica as the place to conduct Camporee 2023.”

It was a spiritually charged atmosphere at the Trelawny stadium where vuvuzela tooting, flag-waving campers revelled throughout the night which was highlighted by among other things, a moving gospel message delivered by youth director at Greater New York Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Pastor Andres Peralta.

Individuals at the packed stadium were also riveted to live performances by gospel acts, fireworks, as well as a play.

Three young converts also got baptised during the evening.

Grange expressed her desire that the five-day event will be spiritually enriching.

“We therefore pray that the greatest takeaway for Jamaica and all that will unfold during these days of the camporee will be an increase of God’s presence, greater peace and a return of greater love for ourselves and our fellow men. But above all, I hope that this will be a fulfilling and spiritually enriching experience for you all,” Grange argued.